The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-31

when "reminiscences are INDUCED in The action
OF their lives and philosophy seems to be to let
the dead past bury its dead Whenever you
find that sort OF man, you may be absolutely
certain there is nothing in his history about
which one can afford TO talk. Why should any
man be impatient that the g. A. R., the survi-
vors of the past war, have banded themselves
together in this magnificent organization and
in their camp fires and post assemblies keep
alive the story of the great war for the Union.
Ii it not worth while2 Isn't it something more
t!an reminiscence2 Doesn't it reach ont with
its mighty influence through the ages as
strengthening and conserving force for our gov
ernmenu Why is it that monuments are build
eda rejoice to know that at last in
Indiana a worthy monument Of our worthy
dead Is to be raised. Why is it poets
have embalmed in song and sculptors with
chsel the stories Of heroic endeavor and sacri-
tcef 1t Is because the statue and the song
kindle the lives and hearts of men and repro
duce heroes in a nations exigency. Washington
lives again, and Warren is brought into life at
the nations call because some young heart had
read the story of Lexington and Bunker Hill.
Who is it to-day that more than any other body
OF men in this country kindle again the fires OF
patriotism2 Who is it and what influence is it on
this country that makes the love of the old flag
stronger and more secure in this country than
this organization represented here tonight We
cannot afford to let the story die. All these
things reproduce themselves, and the sons of
Grand Army veterans will constitute the army
that will spring, as their fathers did. to arms, if
it should happen that once again this Nation
should need defenders. lGreat applause.
Il know there are some who complain of the
great length of the pension roll. but l never
heard when the war was on any complaint of too
many soldiers. Laughter. l we'll remember.
after the fall Of Atlanta-being home here-I re-
covered this community. A draft had been or
dered. The provost marshals Office was near
where the First Presbyterian Church stands
now, and from the opposite side of the street I
wheel l was not afraid of my name com
ing out. had anxiety to
what that wheel would do. / remember public
meetings were held and the city of Indianapolis
And ] always remember with indignation that
tax was laid upon my little home upon which l
had only made one payment at that time, and
had to pay for Of those fellows
Shame upon the man who would forget the incl
dents of those days l rememsMr as went about
to gather the company [ recruit
ing what was said to those boys
the generous promises that made.
the pledges to care for those left behind them.
NY soul kindles with indignation when they talk
about those men as treasury robbers. l remem-
Der when the boys under Sherman marched up
the avenue at Washington right past the
Treasury. There was not an eye turned to it
not one. Their eyes were turned towards home.
i T6m6m U0r aIteF you GOT nome, a. ter you mao
served this Nation. that you put your shoulders
under that great national debt and by your work
helped to raise the money that paid you $l6 a
month while you were in the army. You made
no complaint of that No. this was no army of
merceaaries. The men who went into the war
had their inspiration from the springs that
burst from the summit and not from the low
fens OF avarice. Shame upon the country saved
from such war as that, saved at such
a cost Of mems blood and women's tears, that
xx,i1f cd nlA Of hat
suffering for bread.
But it is not the prime purpose OF our organi-
cation to talk pensions. 1t has use in the
community to-day. not simply as a representa-
tive OF patriotism and sacrifice, but as embracing
body Of men who have thoroughly learned
the American principle of obedience to law.
Why did the soldier submit to the corporafl
Simply because he had the chevrons on his arm
and the law gave him certain powers and moth
ing more Respect for constitutional govern.
ment has been ground into the heart of every
soldier When we see the red flag displayed in
the streets OF our cities the Grand Army boys
are not following it, and never will. This
Ipointing to the large American flag on the STAGE
this is the banner they love, and which has pro.
vided in constitutional elections the redress Of
every grievance that man may suffer under
think it would be we'll il record could be made
of those acts of heroism performed by the mel
who touch elbows. When that dreadful ASSAULT
was made at Kenesaw Mountain, which Genera
Sherman only justified by saying he wanted tt
teach the enemy that he wOnld attack their en-
trenched position, as the line moved up ths
hill a young officer was shot to death upon tina
bloody slope. AS he dragged himself along
catching from bush to bush. he was heard say
ing to himself
When out spoke brave Horatus,
The captain of the gate,
To every in all this land
Death cometh soon or late;
And how die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of the gods.
Mrs. Walker then sang ''The Flag That Bears
the Stripes and Stars" after which Captain
Baltzly, of Seymour. spoke briefly. He pail
his attention to Congressman Bragg, of Wiscon
sin, who had characterized old soldiers wantin
| pensions as 'scaawaes and coffee coolers" an,
said, land you will find him lBragg] to-nich
| among scAlawags and coffee-coolers in thu
White House yard. begging Grover to bring hin
Ohio, and his opposition to tho just treatment O
| the soldier and to the President. who, eighteel
| months hence, would be astonished at the resul
! of his vetoes Captain Baiszly said that in spit
| of these things and two-dollar jackanapes, wht
get into positions to sign warrants for stationer!
| and jack knives, the good old ship of stat
would, in TINA, be stripped of her barnacles ant
come out all right
| Gen. Tom Bennett, of Richmond, made
| speech on the American Volunteer" full o
! humor and shrewd good sense. In conclusion
| he said that the boys, far recognition b.
| the government was concerned, had made a mis-
take fighting in the last war. IF we had jus
| gone into the Mexican war;" said tn
| General, i've would have been voted
pension and the President would hav
Il u + "a u ~